Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Chloe
O nce Holden finishes helping me bathe, we run into a new dilemma. Between my casted arm and the warm water weakening my muscles, I struggle to stand.
Helplessly, I reach out to tug on Holden’s pant leg. “I need help.”
He had turned his back to give me privacy, but now he spins, his attention lingering over my naked body before he looks away, still trying to be a gentleman.
“Sure, of course, I should have realized.” Kneeling beside the tub, he reaches in to help me up, his strong hands grasping my slick skin.
My pulse races at his nearness as I wrap my arms around his neck. “Sorry for getting your clothes wet.”
“It’s okay. Clothes dry.” His fingertips press into my soft curves, the scent of vanilla cake thickening in the air as he rises to his feet and lifts me from the tub.
Once I’m out and steady on my feet, he retrieves a fluffy bathrobe and helps me slip into it, his hands skimming my shoulders. I lean into his solid chest, nuzzling closer than necessary as he secures the tie around my waist.
A rumble starts in his chest, a purr he can’t suppress.
“You’re so good to me.” With a sigh of contentment, I melt into his embrace.
His arms slip around my waist, and the purr grows louder, reverberating through me. The only time Louie purred around me, he was manipulating my emotions. It never once crossed his mind to ensure my comfort in his presence. He was cold and controlling. Nothing like my sweet, caring Holden.
“I just want you to feel better,” Holden whispers, his breath warm against my ear.
One hand cradles the back of my head while the other traces soothing circles on my back. My knees tremble at the intimacy of the moment. I breathe in his comforting scent and let myself linger in his tender affection, my weakened state an excuse to stay wrapped in his arms a little longer.
This Alpha’s desire to comfort and protect me shines through every touch, every purr, every meal. And I delight in being the cause of it.
“We should dry your hair,” he says, his voice coming out gruff.
Reluctant to leave his arms, I pull away and shuffle over to the vanity, collapsing onto the padded stool.
Holden dries my hair with a fluffy towel, his touch gentle, like he’s handling a delicate flower. Once he squeezes out most of the water, he brushes it, starting at the ends and working his way up, each stroke a caress that lulls me into a trance.
Bending to reach into a drawer, he pulls out a blow dryer and plugs it in. A loud whir fills the bathroom as he works to dry my hair, the warmth and the rhythmic motion of the brush sending me into a trance.
By the time he finishes, my hair shines, a glossy mane of pink that spills over my shoulders and down my back.
When he leans past me to set the brush and dryer down, I kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
He grins and helps me to my feet. “Let’s get you into some clothes and in bed.”
I lean against him as we walk into the bedroom, where he leaves me to rest against the bed while he walks to the wardrobe.
He opens the doors, then peeks around one. “Which of your onesies do you want?”
My hand trails over the quilts on the bed, an inviting nest of blankets. Even after three weeks, they still hold traces of Holden and Blake’s pheromones. My cozy pajamas have acted as a security blanket for so long, a way to always be in my nest while not being in it.
Right now, though, there’s no urge to cuddle up inside one for comfort. Not when surrounded by my Alphas’ scents.
I look back at him. “Can you just grab me a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt?”
A small, hopeful smile tugs at his lips. “Are you sure? You said you always wear them when you feel vulnerable.”
“I know.” I trace a patch of green on the top quilt. “But I don’t feel vulnerable here.”
His mouth blooms into a full grin, and he rummages inside the wardrobe. He brings over a pair of soft lounge pants and a worn T-shirt, setting them on the bed beside me. “Here you are. I’ll give you a little privacy to change.”
Before he can leave, I catch his sleeve, peeking up at him through my lashes. “Can you help me? I’m still a bit unsteady.”
A blush stains Holden’s cheeks. “Of course.”
From beneath the T-shirt, he pulls a pair of delicate panties before he kneels in front of me. I place a hand on his shoulder as I step into them, the simple touch igniting sparks under my skin.
Holden’s breath hitches as he slides the silk up my legs, the backs of his knuckles skimming my calves, then my thighs. The purr from earlier returns, a constant rumble from deep in his chest. His purr intensifies with every graze of skin on skin as his hands continue upward, slipping beneath the parted bathrobe.
When he settles the panties in place, Holden’s splayed hands pause on my hips, reluctant to break contact. He exhales a ragged breath, pupils blown with restrained longing as he stares down at me.
Unable to resist, I curl into him and nuzzle his throat, right over his racing pulse.
“Chloe…” Holden groans, starting to wrap me in his arms before pulling back.
The purring cuts off.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t…you’re hurt…” Embarrassment pinches his features, his pointed ears going red as he scrambles for the lounge pants.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I cup one palm against his cheek, drawing his face to mine. “You make me feel safe, Holden. Wanted. You’re my Alpha, and we’re courting, remember?”
Realization dawns on his expression, and an adorable flush overtakes him anew. “We’re courting. You’re my Omega.”
He says it with such awe, like he can hardly believe this is real.
“Mhmm. So you’re allowed to touch me,” I confirm. “In fact, I insist.”
Holden lets out a shaky chuckle, some of his nervousness dissipating. He helps guide my feet into the pants, drawing them up. With them in place, he pops the T-shirt over my head, bringing it down before he unties my robe and slips it out from beneath. The sleeve snags on my cast, and he helps sort it out with care not to jostle my injury.
Once I’m clothed, his arm wraps around me, and I happily burrow against his chest as he pulls back the quilts with his free hand.
“Let’s get you into bed,” Holden suggests, voice husky. “Then I’ll go see what’s taking Dom so long with your soup.”
Holden guides me onto the plush mattress, and as I settle against the pillows, a contented sigh escapes my lips. The familiar scent of the bedding envelops me, a comforting blend of Holden’s sweet vanilla and Blake’s smoked applewood and cider combining with my own pheromones.
“I missed this.” I nuzzle my cheek against the quilt. “Being here, surrounded by your scents.”
Holden’s lips curve upward as he pulls the covers up around me, tucking me in with care. “We missed you, too. More than you know.”
Uncertainty fills me, though, as I remember the way Nathaniel hadn’t greeted me at the dock. How he stood at a distance, silent and tense. But I push the worry aside, vowing to deal with it later.
Drawing in a deep breath, I let the soothing pheromones wash over me, and drowsiness tugs at my eyelids. It’s been so long since I felt safe enough to sleep without worrying about what might happen the second I let my guard down.
As Holden turns to go find Dominic, a knock sounds at the door. My heart leaps, pushing back the exhaustion.
Holden opens it to reveal Dominic standing in the hall, a tray balanced in his hands. The enticing aroma of soup wafts into the room, and my stomach grumbles.
Dominic lifts the tray. “Did someone order soup?”
A giggle bubbles up, and I raise my hand. “Over here!”
Dominic enters, his pheromones swirling to join the others. I sit up a little straighter, smoothing the quilts over my legs.
He sets the tray on my lap, steam rising from the bowl. “One special delivery for our favorite Omega.”
My cheeks warm, and I peer down at the tray. The soup, a simple broth with noodles, is just what my stomach needs right now. The fluffy white marshmallows in a separate bowl are an interesting addition.
Unable to resist, I reach out to poke one, delighting in the way it squishes beneath my fingertip. “Marshmallows with soup? That’s a new one.”
Dominic chuckles, the rich sound curling around me. “It’s Quinn’s contribution. She insists everything is made better with marshmallows.”
At the mention of the little girl’s name, my head lifts, a pang of guilt piercing through me. With everything that happened, I forgot all about her. “Quinn! Is she okay? I can’t believe I didn’t?—”
“Hey, it’s all right.” Holden soothes, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You had a lot going on. No one blames you for not asking sooner.”
“Blake and Nathaniel found her at a playground a few blocks from the apartment.” Dominic perches on the end of the bed. “They brought her back here, safe and sound. She’s a permanent resident of Misty Pines now.”
Relief floods through me, loosening the knot of worry in my stomach. “I’m so glad she’s okay. And that she has all of you looking out for her. She’s lucky to have so many loving uncles in her life.”
My thoughts drift to my own childhood, the memories bitter. After Dad kicked Mom and me out of the Sinclair pack, no one stepped in to help. No one cared. And Mom’s addictions, both with alcohol and maintaining the facade of her former status, took up all her time, leaving me to fend for myself, adrift in a world that had turned cruel overnight.
“If I had had a fraction of the support Quinn does…” I trail off, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “Maybe things wouldn’t have gotten so bad.”
Dominic flinches, but he doesn’t try to hide from his part in my downward spiral. “You have us now, Chloe.”
Holden’s hand finds mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”
That’s right. I’m not alone anymore. I have a family now, one that’s already proved they’ll stand by me.
A wobbly smile forms on my lips. “I know. And I’m grateful. More than you could ever imagine.”
The moment stretches between us, the air charged with unspoken emotions, with the promise of something more. But for now, I’m content to be here, in the warmth and safety of the Homestead.
Releasing Holden’s hand, I turn my attention to the soup and pick up the spoon. “Well, I suppose I should dig in before it gets cold.”
I test a spoonful of broth and look up at Dominic. “This is delicious. Thank you.”
He grimaces. “You’ll have to thank Blake for it. My attempt was…not great.”
At the mention of his name, my chest tightens. “He’s home?”
Dominic nods. “He and Quinn have some kind of nature art project going, but he’ll come by a little later.”
The savory aroma of the soup draws me back, and I take another spoonful, letting the warm liquid soothe my throat. Exhaustion weighs on my limbs, my movements sluggish. A yawn escapes, and my eyelids grow heavier with each bite.
It doesn’t take long for me to finish the simple soup, the spoon clattering against the empty bowl. I pop one of the soft, sugary marshmallows into my mouth, the way it melts bringing a moment of happiness. I really missed dessert while imprisoned by Louie.
Dominic slides off the bed and reaches for the tray. “Here, let me take that.”
I lean back against the pillows, my body sinking into the soft mattress. “Thanks, Dom. It was exactly what I needed.”
Smiling, he sets the bowl of marshmallows on the nightstand within easy reach. “Get some rest. You’ve been through a lot.”
My heart aches as I remember Dominic as a child, when he meant the world to me, back when I never questioned my place by his side. The same tenderness fills his expression now, a warmth that wraps around me like a comforting blanket. I want to reach out, to pull him closer, but lead weights of exhaustion hold my arms down.
Dominic’s eyes linger on me for a heartbeat more before he turns to leave.
The door closes behind him, and I let my eyelids drift shut, surrounded by the scent of my Alphas, their presence soothing me.
Exhausted to my bones, sleep calls to me.
Holden’s footsteps sound on the hardwood floor as he moves to follow Dominic out of the room.
Sudden, desperate panic surges through me, and I bolt upright, my pulse racing. “Holden, wait!”
He turns back to me, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. “What’s wrong?”
“Please, stay with me.” My voice trembles with sudden fear. “Just until I fall asleep.”
He hesitates, searching my face.
My pulse races with fear as I reach out my hand to him. “I don’t want to be alone. Not right now.”
Understanding softens his features. “Okay.”
He toes off his shoes and pads over to the bed. I flip back the quilts, and he slides in next to me, the mattress dipping with his weight.
I roll into him and curl against his side, my head resting on his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calming my sudden panic.
“Thank you.” Careful with my cast, I rest my arm on his chest. “For saving me. For giving me hope.”
His arm wraps around me, snuggling me close. “Chloe, I…”
“And for telling me about Grady.” My voice catches, tears pricking at my eyes. All I’ve done since they rescued me is cry. “Knowing he’s alive, that the doctors are just waiting for him to wake up… It means everything to me.”
Holden’s fingers thread through my hair, his touch gentle. “Shh, it’s okay.” A soft purr rumbles in his chest, the sound vibrating through me, easing the ache in my heart. “He’ll recover, Chloe. I promise.”
I cuddle closer, body heavy as exhaustion tugs at me. Holden’s purr, his scent, and his touch weave a cocoon of safety around me, lulling me toward sleep.
As I drift off, his lips brush against my forehead. “Thank you for choosing me as your Alpha.”